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Tinklenberg wins 6th District DFL endorsement

Tinklenberg won the endorsement with 72 percent of the vote on the first ballot over DFL opponent Bob Olson, a minister's son who owns a bank and founded a green energy nonprofit. Tinklenberg himself is a former Methodist minister and state transportation commissioner.

Tinklenberg said he hopes to appeal to moderates and independents in the district who think Bachmann's positions are extreme.

"This is still about retail politics, I believe this is about door to door. I believe this is about out-phone calling. We are going to out-work her," said Tinklenberg. "We are going to build the coalition, the kind of network, the kind of volunteer base that's going to support a strong campaign district-wide."

Rep. Michele BachmannMPR file photo/Tom Scheck

This is Tinklenberg's second run for Congress. Two years ago, he narrowly lost the party's endorsement to Patty Wetterling. If elected, Tinklenberg said he plans to put ending the war in Iraq at the top of his priority list.

"We believe that the people of the 6th District are looking for something different," said Tinklenberg. "They are looking for someone who can bring them a message of hope and change and opportunity but who can also get something done."

State Republican Party chairman Ron Carey said in a statement that Tinklenberg is a "far-left liberal who is out of touch with the Sixth Congressional District." The 6th District covers the northern half of the Twin Cities and reaches west past St. Cloud.